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Mescalero maiden coming of age

Dianne L Stallings, Ruidoso News
Published 10:11 a.m. MT May 4, 2017

The public is invited to join in the celebration of a Mescalero maiden

Ariona Morgan celebrates her coming of age ceremony May 11-14 on the Mescalero Apache reservation.(Photo: Courtesy)

Story Highlights

The coming of age ceremony of Ariona “likani” Morgan is set for May 11 through May 14, at Lower Goat Canyon on U.S. 70 and White Mountain Drive on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The area is known as Blaylock Field.

Ariona, 12, is a seventh grader at Ruidoso Middle School and the daughter of Damian J. and Alexie Morgan. She is the grand-daughter of the late Damian L. Morgan, Michael Sr. and Charlene Bigmouth. Her great grandparents are the late John Adams and Norma Adams.

She enjoys playing basketball, baseball, hunting, going to church and spending time with her family and friends.

The public is invited to join in the coming of age celebration, considered one of the most important traditions of the tribe. Lunch and supper will be served daily. In the evening, friends, family and well-wishers can enjoy "Dances of the Mountain Gods."

Ariona’s sponsors are Joey Padilla and Mary Blaylock with the Murphy & Botella as her dance groups. The reservation adjoin the village of Ruidoso.